New
heroes are born each year at the Forever Resorts Loskop Marathon. This year
Zimbabwean Tabitha Tsatsa stole the show, smashing the eight-year-old women’s
record in a time of 3:14.37, just under three minutes faster than the 3:17:31
set by Paulina Phaho in 2004. That earned Tabitha a R100 000 incentive for
breaking the record! “I was planning to do it from the start, and when I
reached the 41km point, I knew I could do it!” said Tabitha, who added that she
loved the route’s up and downhills.
In
the men’s race, Rustenburg’s Phillip Molefe took line honours in 2:46:07. “I
came to run around three hours, so I’ve done well!” he said after the race. “I
knew I could challenge the guys on the last hill and knew I could win it from
that point.” Phillip is enthusiastic about running Comrades after his win and
is motivated to continue doing well: “I have my son’s name on my shoes and
every time I run, I’m reminded of him and my family. This has made me more
confident!”
As
one of the country’s most popular ultras, the Loskop never disappoints when it
comes to organisation and atmosphere. A field of 3 500 runners took on the
50km ultra this year, and as usual, the splendid finish at the Loskop Dam
attracted a big crowd of local support. The runners, after collecting their
medals and goodie bags, had a swim, danced to the live music and enjoyed a
braai with family, friends and club mates. As they say, Loskop is lekker!
Heroes
Modern Athlete was at the
finish line to ask runners how their Loskop run went.
John Mathete: “The route
was very good, but the last hill up near the finish was very difficult for me –
but I will do it again because it’s so well organised!”
Jackoline Nel: “Loskop is
well organised and a great training run for Comrades! This is my last long run
before Comrades. The uphills were tougher than I thought, but I prefer the ups
in short bursts.”
Paipai Malatji: “The route
is quite tough on my legs. I’m not used to uphills, for sure, but it’s much
better than a normal flat route. This is my fifth Loskop and I keep coming back
because it’s so well organised and its quite fun before and after!”
Jarred Lloyd: “I think my
run went well. I didn’t walk once! This is my sixth year at the race and for
me, it’s the best in the country, and it definitely has the greatest vibe!”
Yousuf Omar: “The climbs
were fantastic, but it was tough at the last stretch! I cramped up a little,
but I kept going! The scenery is amazing and we even saw monkeys on the road!
You can definitely get your momentum going!”
50KM MEN
1 Phillip Molefe (Rustenburg)
2:46:07
2 Phahlale Mohloli (Mr
Price/Lesotho) 2:47:07
3
Joseph Mphuthi (
2:50:37
50KM WOMEN
1 Tabitha Tsatsa (Mr
Price/Zimbabwe) 3:14:37
2 Lizih Chokore
(Nedbank/Zimbabwe) 3:23:01
3
Muchaneta Gwata (Mr Price/Zimbabwe) 3:24:58
21KM MEN
1 Elmore Sibanda (
1:10:58
2 Othaniel Phahlane (Nedbank)
1:11:40
3
Collin Parura (Nedbank/Zimbabwe) 1:11:43
21KM WOMEN
1 Melanie Van Rooyen (
2 Chiyedza Chokore (Mr
Price/Zimbabwe) 1:31:35
3
Ndofhiwa Mandiwana (Bidvest) 1:32:49